Doctors and pharmacists are considered the most reliable sources of information, the Federal Health Office said. Researchers also found that critics of vaccination tend to know less about immunisation than supporters.
Most people rely on the expertise of their family doctors or on information available online, but to a lesser extent on specialist doctors or pharmacists.
A studyExternal link from the università della Svizzera italianaExternal link identified considerable regional differences about the attitude towards vaccinations with respondents in the main German-speaking part of the country being more sceptical than people in the French and Italian-speaking regions.
However, the researchers could not confirm previous findings that the Swiss population is not as knowledgeable about the topic of vaccination than people in Europe.
The health authorities recommend better specific education of medical students and midwives as well as boosting further training for counselling, according to statement published on Monday.
The studies are based on an online survey among about 5,000 Swiss residents in March 2018 and a series of in-depth interviews with selected among the respondents.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
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The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
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Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
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Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
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Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
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Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
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At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. Almost 95% of all places were occupied, the highest number since 2014.
Network of nursery schools now rejecting unvaccinated children
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In a first for Switzerland, a childcare group has decided to turn down applicants not vaccinated against measles and whooping cough.
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In 2019, more measles cases have already been reported than in all of last year. But compared to a decade ago, it's still relatively low.
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